Condolences to the family of Mr Dodd

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said today that Australia mourns the passing of Indigenous veteran and actor, Mr Dodd, on Monday this week.

“Born in 1928, Mr Dodd was given his first three film roles by Australia’s own Chips Rafferty, the first being in the classic Australian movie The Overlanders,” Minister Scullion said.

“Originally an accomplished stockman and rodeo rider, Mr Dodd went on to play Indigenous characters across seven decades of Australian and international film and television.

“His on screen credits include some of the most iconic films and television programmes produced in Australia including Gallipoli, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, The Matrix, Homicide and the Flying Doctors.

“In 2013, Dodd was honoured with the Jimmy Little Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music and the Performing Arts, at the 19th Deadly Awards at the Sydney Opera House.

“Mr Dodd proudly served his country for six years in the Australian army and saw active service for two years during the Korean War.

“Mr Dodd was a much respected representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women in NAIDOC commemorations in 2014.”
Mr David Williams, President of the NSW Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Veteran’s Association said today “Uncle Steve Dodd had an aura, a smile and a confidence that he instilled in us younger veterans”.

Mr Gerry Moore, Managing Director of the Habitat Personnel Vocational Training Employment Centre in Nowra said “Uncle Steve Mullawalla Dodd was modest about his many achievements. Sometimes, yarning, he could be persuaded to talk about the many notable people he had worked with, including Chips Rafferty. He was a man who met and overcame prejudice and discrimination: a quiet achiever and a distinguished Aboriginal Australian.”

Our sincere condolences go out to Mr Dodd’s family and friends at his passing. He leaves behind a distinguished record in the arts and the Defence Force.
We mourn his leaving us but celebrate his life and achievements.